History

Tukulu – the name conjures up pictures of rich, African soil, of passion, of vibrancy, of success – and that would just about sum up these guilded wines.Tukulu wines are made from grapes grown at Papkuilsfontein, a farm in the Groenekloof near Darling. The name Tukulu is derived from the Tukulu soil found on the farm that is rich and fertile and most suitable for grape cultivation.

Geographics

The Groenekloof, of which Papkuilsfontein is part, has been identified as a high potential wine production area. Just 25km from the sea the vines benefit from cooling sea breezes while a range of hillocks protect it from the potentially damaging effects of the south-easter. Above average rainfall (510mm) and excellent Tukulu soils also contribute to making this the ideal terroir for producing top quality wines.

The farm Papkuilsfontein was recently welcomed as an official member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, a local body which encourages the conservation of the natural fauna and flora on wine farms. Rigourous criteria are applied and so far only a handful of wine farms have met their exacting standards. The farm is also a member of the Darling Wine Route Experience.

The farm covers 975 hectares with 370 hectares currently under vine. A rigourous replanting programme has been set up with 50 hectares of vineyard being planted every year at a yield of about 6 tons per hectare. Only the very best grapes are used for the Tukulu label but there are new plantings of several varieties that will come into bearing soon including: Organic Chardonnay=10.07 hectares, Organic Pinotage=4.81 hectares, Organic Sangiovese=3.87 hectares. There are 13 different varieties. Old varieties=Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Pinot noir, Pinotage, Sauvignon blanc, Shiraz. New varieties= Mouvedre, Nouvelle, Sangiovese, Tannat, Verdelho, Viognier.

From its maiden vintage, the Tukulu Pinotage has been a resounding success. Chosen for the ABSA Top Ten line-up almost every year, winner of a Veritas Gold and Double Gold medals along the way, crowned with another gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, the Tukulu Pinotage 2001 was also selected as the TOPS at SPAR/Wine Magazine Pinotage Champion of the Year last year. The current vintage Tukulu Pinotage was awarded 4 ½ stars in the latest Platter Wine Guide.

It’s partner, the Tukulu Chenin Blanc also has respectable credentials. It usually obtains at least 4 stars in Platter, the latest vintage being no exception. Tukulu is particularly proud that its Chenin Blanc, the 2005 vintage scored 90 points in the Wine Enthusiast and was selected as the top white wine in the Swartland/Darling District for the Terroir SA Wine Awards held in 2006 for the first time.